As summer comes to a close, Metro Parks and Nature is celebrating a major milestone in its work to promote water safety around the region: The agency has distributed more than 4300 life jackets to community members. This is more than twice the number it distributed last year.
“This is the result of the passion and commitment of so many people, from department leadership to parks rangers and community outreach staff,” said Metro Parks and Nature communications manager Loni Black. “It takes a serious investment of time and energy to achieve a goal like this.”
Many life jackets were distributed through community-based organizations including Verde, WaterStrong, Human Access Project and the Black Swimming Initiative. Hundreds of other jackets were distributed by Metro Parks and Nature staff at community events throughout the summer, from the Impalas Father’s Day Barbecue in June to the Jade International Night Market in August.
Additionally, Metro provided free life jackets to guests attending some of its own summer events, including a cleanup day held in August at Broughton Beach and Aquafest, a celebration of water safety in July at Blue Lake Regional Park.
Metro also stocked approximately 900 life jackets that visitors could borrow at all its boat ramps and parks with water access over the course of the summer.
“We consider this work to be part of our commitment to health and safety, as well as to equity,” said Metro Parks and Nature director Jon Blasher. “Because of longstanding systemic barriers to swimming opportunities, people with low incomes and people of color are at higher risk of drowning. We know that life jackets are a crucial tool for keeping people safe in natural water, but they only work if people have access to them and know to use them.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Oregon has the 10th highest rate of drowning fatalities in the country. In 2022, the most recent year that Oregon Health Authority has statistics for, 33 people died in Oregon by drowning in natural water (a term that includes rivers, lakes and ocean).
People often think that if they know how to swim, they will be safe in any body of water. But natural water can have hidden hazards: temperature fluctuations, currents, underwater snags and more. Even experienced swimmers can get into trouble in open water. Whether you’re boating, floating, or just splashing around, remember these safety tips:
- Wear a life jacket
- Enter natural water cautiously and feet-first
- Keep a close eye on children in or around water
- Swim with a buddy
- Boat and swim sober
Learn more
Learn about water safety on Metro’s website
Watch a video in English on how to properly fit a life jacket
Watch a video in Spanish on how to properly fit a life jacket
Watch a video on how to properly fit a life jacket while wearing a hijab and/or abaya